Susan, Frances and their mother, Lee Gravely are true inspirations for any woman wanting to start their own business!  Not to mention, their line of handmade, heritage-inspired collections where each piece is authentic and unique, born from the earth and inspired by Italy; a true work of art to be treasured for its one of a kind characteristics.   Susan, one of the founders of Vietri, spent some time sharing her wonderful entertaining ideas.  

Stay tuned for my “12 Days of Christmas” post where Vietri will be giving away a Santa Sugar and Creamer set!

1.  I love entertaining spontaneously.  People love to be together, and they love a nice glass of wine, so as long you bring the two together, you’re bound for a good time.

2.  To that point, no one knows if something in your original plan goes south the day of the event, so relax! If you’re feeling harried and anxious, that feeling will rub off on your guests.  If you are enjoying yourself, your guests will enjoy themselves, too.

3.  Don’t worry if all the preparations for dinner aren’t ready when guests arrive. As you can tell, my entertaining style is casual, so invite your friends into the kitchen to chat with you if you’re still attending to the final touches.

4.  Music adds so much! Put a favorite cd on that sounds great in the background.

5.  Bring the outside in. I cut greenery from the garden, and I arrange it with flowers.  The leaf smell is so fresh, and it’s an especially nice touch in the upcoming, colder months.

6.  If you’re entertaining a large group of people, have guests make themselves a nametag when they come in. I like to ask guests to write how they know the host or a fun fact about themselves so that it’s easier for them to meet other guests.

7.  Make your table a conversation piece. Of course, I entertain on VIETRI, and I love that our beautiful collections inspire discussions about craftsmanship, Italy, and good living.

8.  Serve delicious, simple food. For an appetizer, I pick up prosciutto, good cheeses, and bread from the farmer’s market. I’ll add a bit of pear preserves to spread with the cheeses as a special touch.

9.  For dinner, a chili or vegetable soup and salad is comforting and easy.  A cold soup and bread with fresh green salad for summer is refreshing.  I like to serve things that are colorful.

10.  I generally conclude a meal with fruit-based desserts. They cleanse the palate, and I appreciate that they don’t need much sugar. I do know that there are chocolate addicts out there, though, and so I like to have a small plate of chocolates to pass around at the end of dinner.

11.  My husband and I live on a nicely wooded circle, and so I often suggest a walk around the neighborhood after we have finished eating. We also have a bocce court in the garden, and we always have a great time when we head out there for a game. Competition can get pretty fierce!

12.  The most important thing is to relax. Entertaining should not be daunting or nerve-racking experience. Enjoy spending time with one another!